Arevalo told Tubid that he was choosing him to be the model for a Calungsod painting being commissioned by Cardinal Sin upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

"Nag-go kaagad ako," recalled Tubid.

It was the start of Tubid's life-long devotion to the martyred saint, who was officially canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday.

"Sobrang saya, sobrang malaki ipinagbago ng buhay ko," said he acknowledging Calungsod as being instrumental for the career he is enjoying now as basketball player.

The painting, as done by Rafael del Casal, was the one brought to Rome for Calungsod's beatification.

In the same interview, Father Francis Lucas, Catholic Media Network President, explained that having a person pose as a saint in paintings or sculptors is nothing new given that most of the time there are no existing photos to base the creation upon.